Welcome to our new Instron Community Blog hosted by Instron. It is a compilation of the freshest, brightest, most-talented minds that Instron has to offer. The world of materials science is so vast and encompasses the broadest range of industries, materials, and challenges that no one person can possibly possess all the knowledge required to be the resident expert – or master of materials science. It takes a small army behind the scenes collaborating and sharing technical know-how, experiences, and ideas to present the most accurate, relevant, and timely information to you – our readers.

We invite you to tell us who you are, share your stories and talk about your experiences. Join the Instron Community.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Accurate Testing Starts with the Preload

Often when visiting customer sites, our service engineers find machines that have basic setup problems that can have a large effect on the accuracy of test results. A very common problem is testing with poorly preloaded grip locknuts. Placing a specimen under tension also places all items in the load string – grips, grip adapters, load cell, and so on – under tension as well.
Read more

Full Fluid Jacket – Liquid Body Armor

Humans have waged war on one another for centuries. Weapons have evolved from sticks and stones through cutting and bludgeoning implements to today’s smart bombs and missiles. But the evolution of the means to protect oneself from the impact of those weapons has not kept pace. However, a new technology combining two advanced materials – Kevlar and shear-thickening fluid – may hold the promise of light, flexible and effective full body armor.



Read more

The Burj Khalifa – Cast in Concrete

The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, has a laundry list of superlatives. Greatest number of stories, highest occupied floor, longest travel distance elevator, world’s highest swimming pool. Perhaps none of these would have been achievable without the great advances that have been made in concrete technology over the past 20 to 30 years.

Read more

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Seeking Your Input .....

We've been blogging and you've been reading, but are you finding what you've expected at the Instron Community?

We're interested in hearing your input on articles to focus on for 2012 - more technical tips, more industry news ..... What do you find beneficial? I've included a poll on the right side of our blog - please take a few moments to fill it out or include your comments below.

Thanks so much and happy holidays!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Liquidmetal – Not Just for Terminators

Materials scientists have been trying for years to discover and develop a product that could be molded into complex shapes with the ease and low expense of plastic while retaining the strength and durability of metal. Recently, a team led by Dr. Jan Schroers, a materials scientist at Yale University and the former Director of Research at Liquidmetal Technologies, has recently developed some metal alloys that can be blow molded like plastics into complex shapes that can't be achieved using regular metal, without sacrificing the strength or durability that metal affords.
Dr. Jan Shroers with metal bottle
Photo courtesy of Dr. Shroers
Read more

When Did You Last Change Your Oil?

It’s no secret that hydraulic fluid contamination leads to increased wear and corrosion, and decreased fluid life and system performance. At the same time, you want to maximize the life of your oil to reduce costs and downtime. It’s a balancing act.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your hydraulic fluid:
  • Don’t skimp on quality. Use a good quality hydraulic fluid from a reputable manufacturer following the specification recommendations from the pump and system manufacturer.
  • Keep hydraulic fluid clean, cool, and dry. Maintain filtration and use clean lines to transfer hydraulic fluids into your equipment.
  • Proactively analyze both your used fluid and your in-service fluid for contamination, oxidation, and to assess wear on the system.
Increasing the frequency of fluid changes may prove to be particularly cost effective in the long term. Research by the British Hydromechanics Research Association (BHRA) and National Engineering Laboratory indicated potential life extension factors of 10 - 50 times were possible on a variety of hydraulic equipment depending on oil contamination level.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Q. Our testing lab is moving to a new building. Do our testing systems require recalibration after the move?

We strongly recommended that you recalibrate your systems after a move. In fact, many ASTM and ISO testing standards such as ASTM E4 and ISO 7500-1, have a mandatory requirement for recalibration.

If you have questions about this or you would like assistance with moving and recalibration of your system, please contact your local Instron service office. Additionally, we recommend taking into account other appropriate services at this time including preventive maintenance, system set up, and training. If you would like assistance with moving and recalibration of your system or if you have questions, please contact your local Instron service office.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Syringe Testing is Painless!

Nobody really likes getting shots; however they have become less inconvenient for patients throughout the years thanks to the constant improvement of the design and materials used by syringe manufacturers.

Plastic disposable syringes were first introduced in 1961. The “disposable revolution” brought considerable benefits, the main one was the drastic reduction of infections transferred between patients since a syringe was only used once. In addition, the new disposable syringes optimized medical operations because the sterilization process for reusable glass syringes was no longer required.

One key factor in the shot process is how much force is required to operate the plunger of the syringe in both directions. This force level must allow the doctor or nurse to easily operate the syringe without causing harm to the patient.

Watch a video of a test (which meets ISO 7886-1 Annex G) that measures the required forces to operate the plunger of a disposable syringe.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Building Bridges at SAMPE

With more than 250 people in attendance and anticipation, we hosted the 3rd Annual Bridge Contest at the 20th SAMPE France Technical Meeting. This year we had 10 teams from 8 universities trying their hand at building a bridge strong enough to beat the other nine teams ....

We saw carbon fiber bridges constructed of special shapes (a fish belly), square bridges, and a very thin and flexible bridge which never broke. All teams did a great job constructing their bridges - it was impressive!

The winning bridge, designed with an arche shape, was from University Paul Sabatier, Toulouse with a strength of nearly 30 kN.

Next year, we'll need to supply a floor machine for the contest.

In addition to all those who participated in the contest, we like to give a special thanks to Mr Kauffmann and Magnin from SAMPE France.

Other pictures will be available soon on the Sampe France website - be sure to check them out!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Versatility of Milk Crates

About 24 months ago my car was vandalized and left resting on two milk crates ... why was it "resting" on the crates? Because my alloy wheels where missing. As much as I was shocked that someone would steal my wheels, I was more amazed that milk crates had the strength to hold up my Honda Civic ... and it got me thinking, "how much force can a milk crate take before failing?"

So we put the crates to the test - watch the video!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Instron Named Supplier of the Year

To find our place in the UK Plastics Testing Industry, we attended Interplas, where we met many customers and potential customers. This allowed our Application Experts the opportunity to understand and learn more about the market. During Interplas, we were entered into the European Plastics Product Manufacturer (EPPM) Supplier of the Year Awards; a contest where an independent research company contacted readers of EPPM and ask who is their preferred supplier. Based on 11 different categories, as well as overall brand image in 2011, Instron came out on top, winning Testing & Inspection Machinery Supplier of the Year.

It's not every day a Materials Testing Manufacturer is voted "Supplier of the Year" ..... so, we'd like to take this time to thank the readers of EPPM and everyone who made this a reality for Instron!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Free Webinar: Modernizing Your Old Tester

Are you in need of a new testing system, but just don't have the budget right now for new equipment? Did you know you can modernize your test frame at a fraction of the cost of a new testing system? Join our free webinar (Tuesday, December 6th at 11 AM EST) and participate in the discussion with Frank Lio on the different types of retrofits, the retrofit process, technical and user benefits, costs, and whether your frame is a good candidate.

Register for the webinar - or leave us a message below!

Friday, November 18, 2011

From Bike Riding to Subcontracting ...

Jönköping, Sweden is home to the largest recreation bicycle ride in the world. For those that are interested by a 300 km pedal around one of the largest lakes in Sweden, you’ll have to wait until June – VÄTTERNRUNDAN.

The city also hosts the largest subcontractor tradeshow and the 28th Elmia Subcontractor proved to be another interesting event. With more than 1,200 companies exhibiting it is always an important meeting place for the Swedish industrial community. As the name suggests, the focus is on the subcontractor industry, a lot of whom are Instron customers. We, therefore, found ourselves spending as much time with other exhibitors as we did with the visitors to the fair.

This tradeshow was in stark contrast to the usual application specific events we attend and the diversity of product on display was overwhelming. We had discussions on testing: hearing aids, engine mounts, lifting devices, composite prostheses, and the buckling of felt paper! As some of our British colleagues attended this show, they found time to debate tactics for the upcoming England vs Sweden soccer match next week. Check out the video!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Project 2.6g 329m/s

It's been fascinating to look back over some of the previous articles covering the development and testing of new materials and new applications for materials. Some of the most popular articles judging from your feedback have been those that have looked at the ongoing efforts to develop synthetic spider silk and the efforts to manufacture effective lightweight body armor. Recently, an amalgamation between art and science has resulted in the development of what many newspapers and popular science publications have trumpeted as bulletproof human skin.


Read more

Keep It Consistent

Consistency is the key to accurate and repeatable test results. Variations in the test setup, test procedure, environmental conditions, and operator input can all affect the test results.
Read more

Question from a Customer

Q. What is a durometer? Is it an instrument or a measurement?

A. It’s both. A durometer is an instrument used to measure hardness and is typically used on polymeric, elastomeric, and rubber materials. Durometer also refers to the hardness result obtained.

Read more

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

What is Potting the Bone?

During a conversation with one of our Application Engineers, he brought to my attention that many of our customers ask him how to "Pot" the ends of "bones" and perform compression, tensile, or fatigue test on the bone .... So, we're sharing his techniques with you.

Technique #1
  • “Paint” the end of the bone with Krazy Glue or equivalent and let it dry.
  • Use 3M ScotchWeld Acrylic Adhesive; this is a two part epoxy so you will need to use a mixing nozzle to get the correct blend.
  • Put the epoxy into a “sawed off” hollow square tube (you can purchase long lengths of square metal tubing from many local steel suppliers).
  • Put duct tape on one side of the tube to prevent epoxy from escaping.
  • Place one end of the chicken bone into the epoxy and let cure (room temperature, 8 hours or so).
  • Do the same to the other end of the chicken leg (room temperature, 8 hours or so).
You will now have an “assembly” that can be put into the test machine and tested.

Technique #2
  • Same as above, but no need to “paint the ends with Krazy Glue”.
  • Use Cerrobend Alloy; this melts at 158° F and has a very fast cure (about 10-15 minutes maximum).
  • Pour it into the square tubing as described above.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

New Training & Research Center in Moscow

Ben Randles, Instron’s North Europe Sales Engineer, and Dmitry V. Livanov, Rector of the National University of Science and Technology "MISiS", signed a partnership agreement and officially opened the new International Scientific and Research Centre in Moscow.


The aim of the new centre and the joint collaboration, which will also be supported and assisted by Instron’s long-term Russian partner “Novatest LLC”, is to provide:
  • The highest standard of training for students, using the latest Instron equipment and software
  • Extended vocational training courses for teachers & professors in modern methods of mechanical testing and experimentation
  • High-end research capability for MISiS specialists
  • R&D Contract testing business from Industrial customers for MISiS
  • A reference site and training facility for Instron

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Using Video Capture to Develop Global Quality Control

Have you ever run a test and wanted to know what the product or material looked like or what the force/displacement is at a certain moment in time during the test? Our friends at Vartest Laboratories in New York City use the Video Capture Module for Bluehill® to investigate failure modes of individual specimens. The Video Capture Module allows users to view the test curve and a recorded video of the test at once.

You can read their full blog post on their experience and findings.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Shanghai Composites Seminar


On October 26, 2011, Instron hosted a seminar on Composites at the Shanghai City Hotel in Shanghai, China. Approximately 35 guests from industry and academia attended the seminar, which featured talks on “Trends in Composites Testing”, “Typical Applications and New Grips and Fixtures” and “Bluehill Software Features for Composites Applications” by Ian McEnteggart.

Mr. Shen Wenrong, from Instron China's Engineered Solutions Group, presented “Strain Testing Solutions for Composites”, covering contacting and non-contacting extensometry.

Dr Zhou Zhulin, a special guest from the Shanghai Fiberglass Institute, also delivered a speech in the seminar.

This represents one of the many ways that Instron is reaching out to the composites industry - making sure that we stay abreast of the latest technologies and innovations for testing and more!

Would you be interested in attending a composites seminar hosted by Instron? Or how about a composites webinar? Let us know.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween from the Great Pumpkin

As the last in our 3-part series of squashing fall vegetation, we bring you .... the great pumpkin video. Although the largest of the pumpkins and dumpling squash, this pumpkin broke at the lowest force - 450 lbf. And according to our Application Lab, it was "perfect".


We wish you all a happy and safe Halloween.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Trends and the Future - Composites

Will you be in the Boston area on Thursday, October 27th? Are you interested in emerging applications for glass and carbon composites, the increasing attention paid to recycling, or challenges that are associated with mechanical testing of these materials? If so, stop by the Hyatt Regency Cambridge for the ASM's October meeting that will focus on a discussion with Lorenzo Majno about the developing markets and challenges for composite materials. Find out more information on the meeting ....

Read more

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Graphene – The Miracle Material?

Graphene, a two-dimensional solid comprising a one-atom thick sheet of carbon, has recently overtaken carbon nanotubes as the research material of the moment. Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by scientists at the University of Manchester in England, but the focus for some years has been on developing ways to manufacture graphene sheets of sufficient size and quality to enable effective research into its properties. These efforts have paid off and recent research studies have established graphene as the strongest material in existence. It also has very high thermal and electrical conductivity. These properties are stimulating the imaginations of researchers worldwide and may lead to the development of new generations of mobile electronics, computers, and even nano-sensors used for oil exploration.

Read more

Are You Using Event Log Files?

Many WaveMatrix™ customers are unaware of the existence of an event log file that is created each time you run a test. The log file, named [testname].log, details each separate event that occurs from the moment the test starts and contains useful information such as how many cycles have run, test values, and more. It is a great resource for troubleshooting problems such as why the test stopped unexpectedly. The file is stored alongside the other results for that test.


Read more

A Question from a Customer

Q. Some Bluehill® calculations don’t show a result when I think they should. Where can I find information on the calculations?

A. Bluehill contains a comprehensive online document - Calculations Library - that has details of every calculation in the Bluehill suite.

Read more

Monday, October 24, 2011

Did You Experience the First Annual Medtec India?

Did you know that 40% of the world’s population lives in China and India? With increasing global competiveness, expanding healthcare coverage, and increasing wealth, both of these countries are poised for substantial increases in the utilization of medical devices.

Read more

Friday, October 21, 2011

What's the Connection to Hardness Testing?


Stop by the Wilson Hardness blog - Hardness Testing Connection - and find out! Hosted by the Wilson Hardness Group, this valuable resource is ideal for getting the most up-to-date information and relevant news in the world of hardness testing. We encourage you to visit the blog and connect with the Hardness team by submitting comments, asking questions, and sharing your thoughts

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

From Dumpling Squash to Dumpling Pancake

The next video in our three-part series of squishing our favorite fall vegetables includes the dumpling squash. Although this vegetable could not compare to the messy little pumpkin, it did hold up to 780 lbf before compressing into a nice squash pancake. Now, all we need is a good dumpling squash recipe.


Monday, October 17, 2011

How Much Pressure can You Withstand?

Did you know that when O-rings - solid-rubber seals shaped like a doughnut - are compressed between mating surfaces they block the passage of liquids or gases? O-rings are one of the most common seals used in machine design because they are inexpensive, easy to make, reliable, and have simple mounting requirements. They can seal tens of megapascals (thousands of psi) pressure. To put this in perspective as to how much pressure they can seal, the air pressure in one tire of a family sedan is 32 psi.

Read more

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Standards in Paris

In September, several Instron employees participated in the annual ISO standards meetings on the mechanical testing of metals in Paris, France. The technical committee ISO/TC164 oversees several key areas in metals testing – uniaxial testing (e.g. tensile testing to ISO 6892-1/2 and the soon-to-be-released ISO 6892-3/4), as well as ductility testing on sheet metals (e.g. plastic strain ratio & strain hardening exponent), hardness testing, toughness testing (fracture, Charpy pendulum and tear testing), and fatigue testing.

Read more

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Automated testing of Suture Materials

In our previous featured post Automated Testing: Are You Doing It?, we talked about the benefits of using automation for your material testing needs, such as increased profitability and improved quality thanks to streamlined testing procedures.

In this video, we would like to show a specific example of Automated Testing where the system is configured to perform unattended tensile testing of biomedical suture specimens.



A typical automated test sequence includes the following steps:
- The robot retrieves a batch separator with a barcode label affixed from a rack, scans the barcode, and downloads the specimen and testing information to the Testmaster2 Automation Control Software.
- The separator is then discarded into a bin and a specimen is retrieved from the racks and placed into the tensile frame and tested.
- After the test, the specimen is removed via a specimen removal device at the back of the frame, which utilizes a low-noise, industrial vacuum to aid in full removal of the tested sutures from the grips area.
- The robot then inserts the next specimen to be tested.

Do you think automated testing is a good solution for labs? Leave us a comment to discuss!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Smashing Pumpkins - The Instron Way

Our customers ask us to test all kinds of unusual things and with Halloween approaching, our Apps Lab Team thought it would be fun to test the strength of various fall vegetables: a small pumpkin, a large pumpkin, and a dumpling squash. The video below is of the little pumpkin. Seeing it's size, we were surprised at how strong (and full of seeds) this little pumpkin was. It made us think, "How strong are the kids that smash pumpkins on the road?!"


Do you have something you'd like to see us test? Let us know - we're up for the challenge!

Stayed tuned to our blog to catch the other 2 videos coming soon!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Biomaterials Conference Brings Us Back to Our Roots

The 24th European Conference on Biomaterials, in Dublin, Ireland did not only prove to be a beneficial conference to our Biomedical Applications team, but it turned out to be a winning experience for a student from Imperial College London, UK.

Read more

Friday, September 30, 2011

Automated Testing: Are You Doing It?

In an effort to become more competitive, increase profitability and improve quality, and meet or exceed a customer's schedule, companies are turning to automated processes that increase production throughput and profitability, while improving quality and work consistency. Despite the significant initial costs associated with the integration of new technologies into existing operation and the modernization of facilities, the long-term benefits include increased profits, shortened lead times, greater consistency and repeatability, improved quality and customer satisfaction.

Read more

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

eBook Alert: Want a free copy?

We recently compiled a 100+ page eBook on materials testing tips, common questions, and interesting customer stories. And we’d like to share this with you! We would also like to send you a free t-shirt ... Read more to see how you can win one!

Read more

Friday, September 23, 2011

Impact on Composites

A compression after impact (CAI) test is used to measure the residual strength of composite laminates after being damaged by an impact. Such damage can be caused by dropping tools on a laminate or by flying debris. Even if the impact does not result in visible damage, the compressive strength of the composite can be compromised.

Read more

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Importance of Accurate Alignment

Your testing system represents a major capital investment for your organization. You make sure it is regularly calibrated for load, strain, and displacement, and that it is regularly serviced. But when did you last make sure that the alignment was correct?
Read more

Standby Modes on Testing Systems?

Q. In these days of increased awareness of the environment, why does Instron still use “standby” modes on your systems?

Read more

Importance of Testing in an Ever-Changing World

For many years, tin and lead solder has been the accepted material for securing electrical components and wiring to circuit boards. Recently, environmental concerns have led to legislation in many countries to outlaw the use of lead and other hazardous materials in consumer goods and other industries.

Read more

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

We're Talking Artificial Hips in Zurich

Did you know that the first artificial hip was implanted into a human body in the 1940’s, but that the development of total hip replacement did not become customary until the 1960’s? Today, total hip arthroplasty is one of the most widespread orthopaedic surgical procedures carried out around the world, although knee, spine, ankle, and even elbow replacement are also common.

Read more

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Strong and Secure: A Skycraper's Story

Developing a monument to stand the test of time is the thought behind the structure that will soon be 1 World Trade Center.... Recently aired on PBS, the Port Authority of NY & NJ is managing the World Trade Center project. Constructed with a core of concrete, instead of steel and sheet rock, the materials of this super concrete are tested and found to withstand 14,000 psi. And if you need a point of reference, the Hoover Dam can withstand around 7500 psi.

Watch this short video of the construction of this skyscraper and to hear more from the masterminds behind this vision.
*You will need access to iTunes to view the video

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Combing Through Resistance ....

When you think of using an Instron for your testing application, what comes to mind? Breaking things, maybe... But testing hair care products? Probably not. Anyone interested in hair care knows how important hair products are to sustain sleekness, strength, and shine. And Good Housekeeping knows what it takes to test the friction of combing hair ... An Instron! Read the full article in Good Housekeeping ....

What testing applications are you performing on your Instron?

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The Need for Accredited Calibration

Our customers expect confidence, integrity of data, and reliable test results. Regular calibration of mechanical testing machines to internationally recognized standards by an accredited organization helps provide this reassurance and are vital contributors in reducing business risk and cost.

Read more

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Recent Quake Activities

Did you just experience the East Coast or Colorado earthquakes? For those of us in the Northeast, this isn't something we're used to experiencing. However, out in California, it tends to be an occurrence that most likely doesn't bring as much Facebook activity as today's quakes.

Read more

Monday, August 22, 2011

Stent Testing

Each year more than a million people in the United States have coronary angioplasty. A stent placed in an artery as part of the angioplasty restores blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries. Stents - a small mesh tube - help prevent the arteries from becoming narrowed or blocked again and are usually made of metal mesh, but sometimes they're made of fabric. Fabric stents, also called stent grafts, are used in larger arteries.



Read more

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

If We Can't Test It ....

We often get asked to help our customers with specific tests that they are struggling to do with their existing test facilities. Where we are not able to offer equipment to meet their needs, we have many customers around the world that offer services for contract testing or research. Find out more on a sample of these customers.

Read more